Ladders

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for a portable ladder which has essentially parallel side members, the apparatus comprising having a pair of arcuate arms for attachment to the upper end of each side member of the ladder, at least one resilient roller mounted on a corresponding axle or axles located between and/or outwardly from the arms, a mechanism to locate each arm on each side member and a mechanism to secure the arms to the side member, the width of the roller being at least 50% of the distance between the arms. Also provided is a ladder fitted with the above apparatus. A ladder fitted with the apparatus enables easier working for a workman working at the top of the ladder and reduces possible damage to the surface on which the top of the ladder rests.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. An apparatus for a portable ladder having essentially parallel side members with upper and lower ends, which comprises a pair of arcuate arms for attachment within the upper end of each respective side member of the ladder, at least one resilient roller mounted on a corresponding axle or axles located between or outwardly from the arms, means to locate each of said arms on each side member and means to secure the arms to the side members, the length of the roller being at least 50% of the distance between the arms, and the arms having a length and the resilient roller having a diameter such that when in use the upper end of the ladder to which they are attachable is adapted to be at least 15 cm from a surface against which the roller rests. 
     
     
       2. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  in which the arms progress smoothly through an angle of essentially 90°. 
     
     
       3. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  in which the at least one roller is mounted on one of said axles between the two arms. 
     
     
       4. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  in which the at least one roller is mounted on at least one of said axles extending outwardly from at least one side member. 
     
     
       5. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  in which the arms have a rectangular cross section. 
     
     
       6. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  in which the securing means is releasable. 
     
     
       7. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  in which the roller has an external flexible skin. 
     
     
       8. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  in which the roller is made from a thermoplastic foam. 
     
     
       9. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  in which the roller is replaceable. 
     
     
       10. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  in which the arms have a length and the resilient roller has a diameter such that when in use the upper end of the ladder to which they are attachable is adapted to be at least 20 cm from a surface against which the roller rests. 
     
     
       11. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  in which at least one resilient roller is mounted on a corresponding axle or axles located between and outwardly from the arms. 
     
     
       12. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  in which an additional rung is provided between the arms. 
     
     
       13. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  in which the roller is mounted on an axle between the two arms, the roller is made from a thermoplastic foam that is provided with a flexible skin and an additional rung is provided between the arms. 
     
     
       14. A portable ladder fitted with an apparatus, said portable ladder having essentially parallel side members with upper and lower ends, and said apparatus comprising a pair of arcuate arms located and secured within each upper end of each respective side member, and at least one resilient roller mounted on a corresponding axle or axles located between or outwardly from the arms, the roller having length at least 50% of the distance between the arms, and the roller having a diameter and the arcuate arms each having a length such that the upper end of the ladder is at least 15 cm from a surface against which the ladder is to rest. 
     
     
       15. A portable ladder as claimed in  claim 14  in which the at least one roller is mounted on a respective one of said axles between the two arms. 
     
     
       16. A portable ladder as claimed in  claim 14  in which the roller is made from a thermoplastic foam that is provided with a flexible skin. 
     
     
       17. A portable ladder as claimed in  claim 14  in which an additional rung is provided between the arms. 
     
     
       18. A portable ladder as claimed in  claim 14  in which the at least one roller is mounted on a respective one of said axles between the two arms, the roller is made from a thermoplastic foam that is provided with a flexible skin, and an additional rung is provided between the arms. 
     
     
       19. An apparatus for a portable ladder having essentially parallel side members with upper and lower ends, which comprises a pair of arcuate arms for attachment to the upper end of each respective side member of the ladder, an additional rung between the arms, at least one resilient roller mounted on a corresponding axle or axles located between or outwardly from the arms, means to locate each of said arms on each side member and means to secure the arms to the side members, the length of the roller being at least 50% of the distance between the arms, and the arms having a length and the resilient roller having a diameter such that when in use the upper end of the ladder to which they are attachable is adapted to be at least 15 cm from a surface against which the roller rests. 
     
     
       20. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 19  in which the arms progress smoothly through an angle of essentially 90°. 
     
     
       21. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 19  in which the at least one roller is mounted on one of said axles between the two arms. 
     
     
       22. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 19  in which the at least one roller is mounted on at least one of said axles extending outwardly from at least one side member. 
     
     
       23. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 19  in which the arms have a rectangular cross section. 
     
     
       24. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 19  in which the securing means is releasable. 
     
     
       25. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 19  in which the roller has an external flexible skin. 
     
     
       26. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 19  in which the roller is made from a thermoplastic foam. 
     
     
       27. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 19  in which the roller is replaceable. 
     
     
       28. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 19  in which the arms have a length and the resilient roller has a diameter such that when in use the upper end of the ladder to which they are attachable is adapted to be at least 20 cm from a surface against which the roller rests. 
     
     
       29. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 19  in which at least one resilient roller is mounted on a corresponding axle or axles located between and outwardly from the arms. 
     
     
       30. A portable ladder fitted with an apparatus, said portable ladder having essentially parallel side members with upper and lower ends, and said apparatus comprising a pair of arcuate arms located and secured to each upper end of each respective aide member, an additional rung between the arms and at least one resilient roller mounted on a corresponding axle or axles located between or outwardly from the arms, the roller having length at least 50% of the distance between the arms, and the roller having a diameter and the arcuate arms each having a length such that the upper end of the ladder is at least 15 cm from a surface against which the ladder is to rest. 
     
     
       31. A portable ladder as claimed in  claim 30  in which the at least one roller is mounted on a respective one of said axles between the two arms. 
     
     
       32. A portable ladder as claimed in  claim 30  in which the roller is made from a thermoplastic foam that is provided with a flexible skin.